»S 3507 
.07323 
C5 
1917 
Copy 1 



ntcrnational Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and 
ted States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors 




1 ne Girls Over Here 



A PATRIOTIC PLAY IN ONE ACT 



BY 



MARIE DORAN 



Author of " Tempest and Sunshine," " The New Co Ed," 
" Dorothy's Neighbors," etc. 



Copyright, 1917, By Samuel French 



Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. Professional performances restricted without 
permission of Samuel French. 



PRICE 25 CENTS 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 WEST 38th Street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



The Girls Over Here 



A PATRIOTIC PLAY IN ONE ACT 



BY 

MARIE DORAN 
It 

Author of " Tempest and Sunshine" " The New Co Ed" 
" Dorothy's Neighbors," etc. 



Copyright, 1917, By Samuel Feench 



Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. Professional performances restricted without 
permission of Samuel French. 



New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28-30 West 38th STREET 



LOXDOX 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
26 SouTHAicPTOif Stbxst 
STRAND 



V3 35or 






^^. 



i^^i 



JAN -2 1918 @c,_Q ^^(.^3 



^h^ I 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 



THE GIRLS 

As they first appear in the scene 



Virginia 

Madge 

Dolly 

Ethel 

Vera 

Aunt Kate Davis 

Nora 

Babe 



Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive 
in 2011 with funding from 
Tine Library of Congress 



littp://www.arcliive.org/details/girlsoverlierepatOOdora 



The Girls Over Here 



Scene : The living room in the home of Mrs. 
Davis, to-day. A neat interior, comfortably 
furnished, zvith no attempt at style. A zvindow 
c. at the back, with neatly draped curtains. 
A window-seat under tlie zvindow, zvith several 
loose cushions. A door on the l. A door on 
the R., or curtained opening, if preferred. If 
azmilable, a fireplace and mantel on the R. below 
the door. A cheery fire burning, and suitable 
ornaments on the mantel. A couch, oblique, 
dozvn-stage r. of c. zvith a cushion or two. An 
armchair faces the fireplace. A table on the l. 
down-stage, zvith light chair r. of it. A chair 
or book-rack in r. upper corner, zvith books. 
A light chair, easy to move, at r. of window- 
seat, upstage. Another chair below the fireplace 
on the R. A tabourette up c. in front of 
windozv-seat. A cabinet, or stand in l. upper 
corner, with phonograph, to play, and several 
records at hand. The only record played is a 
lively dance melody. A magazine on the couch 
R., for Dolly. Knitting and needles on couch 
R. Knitting in bag on table l., for Madge. 
Hank of zvool, to wind — on windozv-seat, and 
more knitting, for Babe — on window-seat. 
Rugs on the floor, and pictures on the zvalls, if 
available. Interior backing for the l. door. 
{The R. door is not used) If the R. entrance is 



6 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

an opening, use interior backing there also. 
Exterior backing at ivindozv. A tray zvith pretty 
tea service, four or five small cups, and small 
plate "djith small cakes on the tray — off l. for 
Ethel. Medium sice flags of England, Erance, 
Belgium, the Irish emblem, Red Cross, and Stars 
and Stripes off l. Bound volumes for Mrs. 
Davis, off l. TJie time is afternoon, a cool, 
clear day, and the scene is brightly lighted all 
through. 

The characters represent the folloiving types: 
Mrs. Davis, advanced in years, but vigorous, is 
the zvife of a Grand Army man, intensely 
patriotic, and lovable. Ethel, her niece is a 
pretty, lively average American girl. Virginia 
has been named for her native State; she is a 
Junior Red Cross nurse wearing the costume 
of the organization. Madge is a happy-go- 
lucky, rather slangy girl unth a zvarm, hearty 
personality. Vera is a girl of strikingly hand- 
some appearance and gracious manners; she 
has secured a commission to drive an ambulance, 
and wears the correct costume. Babe is very 
fat, good natured and penetrating in a quiet, 
half-humorous zvay. Nora is a pathetic little 
figure of Irish parentage, simple manners and 
simple in dress. Dolly, out of harmony with 
Jier companions, is a selfish grumbler, inclined 
to be disloyal. The costumes, other than those 
described, are pretty afternoon dresses — no hats 
or z<.'raps. 

Note : The theme of the play is patriotism, service. 
The dialo';ue is descripiive, often dramatic, 
and should be read with force and enthusiasm. 
The tone is cheerful and the action continuous. 

At rise: The phonograph is playing a lively 
dance air. Dolly is seated on the couch r. 
reading a magazine. Virginia and Madge are 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 7 

' dancing to the music, they make a zvrong turn, 
at zvhich they both laugh heartily. Allow the 
dancing and laughter to continue a few seconds 
after the rise of the curtain, then Dolly looks 
at the girls and speaks, zvith some impatience. 

Dolly. Goodness ! what a racket ! We'll never 
hear the bell when the other girls come. 

(Madge and Virginia pause c, looking at Dolly, 
Madge l. 0/ Virginia.) 

Virginia. Ethel is watching for them. 
Madge. (To Dolly) Hate to see us enjoy our- 
selves, don't you, Doll? 

(Virginia laughs a little, turning to phonograph l. 
and stops the machine. She picks up some 
records, examining tJiem, and retaining one, ad- 
vances a step to up c.) 

Dolly. {To Madge, reproachfully) Madge! 

Madge. {To Dolly) You're a regular grouch; 
isn't she, Virginia? {Turning a step to l. looking 
at Virginia) 

Virginia. Not as bad as that, Madge. 

Madge. {To Dolly) Yesterday, you barked at 
us because we went skating — wow^ — woof ! Last 
week when we went to a patriotic lecture, cricky ! 
what you said put the dictionary on the blink ! 
{Turning to table l. she faces the chair around to- 
ward c., and opens the knitting-bag on table) 

Dolly. {Resentfully) I don't see how you can 
be so cheerful and actually enjoy yourselves during 
this terrible war ! 

Madge. You have the wrong idea, sister. 
{Looking at Dolly) Gloom won't get us any- 
where ; we live up to our National reputation — when 
Uncle Sam tackles a big job, he doesn't begin with 
a long face and a funeral march. 



B THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

Virginia. (Adzmncing a step, zuarinly) No, 
indeed ! 

Madge. ^^^-len we start anything, we open 
festivities with a band and a banquet. 

Virginia. (Enthusiasm) Of course we do! 

Madge. That's why we finish first under the 
wire. (Taking her knitting from the bag) 

Dolly. (Leaning forivard, regarding AIadge 
earnestly) Do you really, truly believe we zi'ill 
finish first in this war? 

(Virginia looks at Dolly in amazement.) 

IMadge. Did we ever finish last in anv war? 
(Dolly sinks baek, still uneonvinced. Advancing 
a step, earnestly) We've had three bif^ fi^rhts ! The 
first was for freedom, v/hen General Washington 
led our troops. The next was for emancipation for 
the poor black man who never raised a hand in his 
own defense ; the next was for the enslaved Cuban 
people, and thi* is for justice ! 

Virginia. (Enthuiasni) Liberty, equality, 
justice! (To Dolly) Oh, Dolly! doesn't it mal^e 
your heart beat faster ! Don't you v/ant to help ! 

(Dolly sighs rather impatiently.) 

Madge. (To Dolly, dryly) Take it from me, 
honey, we're cooing to put an awful crimp in old 
sauerkraut Bill of Berlin ! (She places the bag on 
table, seats herself at r. of table, knitting, her chair 
facing almost sqiiarely toivard c.) 

Virginia. (Up c. launhing) Sauerkrnut Bill! 
I wish the autocrat could hear you say that ! 

Madge. You don't wish it as hard as T do ! 
Every time I see a boy in khaki — which is every 
minute — I hate myself because Lm a girl. 

Dolly. (Regarding Madge /;/ surprise) You 
don't mean that you want to fight? 

Madge. Like a tiger ! in the first line, over the 
top with the boys ! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 9 

Dolly. (Riswg quickly) Oh, Madge ! you might 
be killed ! 

Madge. I'm not afraid to die ! 

Dolly. Don't talk about it — it's horrible ! 
{Nervcusly turning a step toward R., below couch, 
retaining the magazine) 

Madge. (Pausing in her zvork) Look here, 
when we organized this service Committee, what 
did we pledge? 

Virgin. A. (c.) America first! To live for her, 
fight for her, work for her, and if we must, to die 
for her ! ! 

Madge. What's the punishment for shirkers? 

Dolly. (Apprenhensively) Punishment? 

Virginia. The resolution said 

Madge. Imprisonment, for the period of the war, 
in the cellar, with the mice ! 

Virginia. (Light laugh, to Madge) Give her 
another chance. (To Dolly) It's just a case of 
blue devils, or indigestion, isn't it, Dolly? 

Dolly. (Forcefully) How can I be cheerful 
when I hate war — I despise it! 

Madge. We all do, and the way to prove it is to 
help smash the Red Handed King of the Huns. 

Dolly. (Pouting) It breaks my heart to think 
of it — all my arrangements upset — I expected to 
marry Freddie in June. 

Madge. Which Freddie? 

Dolly. Freddie Switzmeyer — of course ! 

Madge. (In comic disgust) Ye gods! Switz- 
meyer — that's a title for these times ! You better 
shake him for Patsy McFadden ! 

Dolly. (Vehemently) I hate Patsy — I shall 
wait for Freddie, if he ever comes back — he didn't 
want to go, poor boy ! (Seating herself in chair r., 
below fireplace) 

Madge. Patsy is the one best bet — have you 
heard? His uncle died and left him a soap fac- 
tory. 



10 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

Dolly. {Indiynantl\) I don't want a soap hus- 
l)and ! ! 

]\Iadgf.. (Calmly) I love soap, but of covu'se, 
tastes differ. 

Dolly. I never fasted soap, and never shall ! 

Virginia. Don't argue girls, remember, our 
Committee was not organized to squabble but to 
work, and do something, and it's time 

{Interrupt Virginia's speech by ringing electric 
door-bell off l. — loud.) 

Madge. There's some of our bunch. (Dolly 
indifferently looks through magazine; ivJien she rises, 
she leaves it on the chair. jMadge knits diligently, 
Virginia, \ip c. looking tozcard l. door) 

(Enter from l. Ethel, carrying tray zvith tea 
service, etc.; she leaves the door open, and ad- 
vances tozi'ard tabourette.) 

Ethel. It's Nora and Vera. (Placing tray on 
tabourette.) 

Virginia, (r. of tabourette) Where's Babe? 

Madge. She's always late. 

Ethel. Aunt Kate says we may have tea here if 
we are very tidy, and a dear little cake ! (Holding 
iip small cake) 

Madge. (Looking at cake) Is that a cake, or a 
button ? 

Ethel. Auntie is a radical food conservationist. 
She went to school with Mr. Hoover's grandmother. 
(Pouring tea) 

Dolly. Perfect nonsense ! I hate all this economy 
talk! 

Virginia. (To Dolly) You don't seem to ap- 
prove anything. 

Dolly. No, I don't — the United States should 
not have gone to war ! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE ii 

(Ethel and Virginia regard Dolly in astonish- 
ment.) 

Madge. (To Dolly) Take this from me, Doll 
— there's no room in this world for Bill Hohlenzol- 
lern — it has come to a clinch between Bill and 
Uncle Sam — and if you're wise, you'll bet all your 
money on your Uncle ! 

Ethel. There is no doubt about yoii, Madge — 
you delight my Auntie ! (Handing a cup of tea to 
Virginia, zvho carries it to Dolly) 

Virginia. Brace up, Dolly — no use trying to pull 
against the tide. 

(Dolly, pouting, takes the tea, but does not 
drink it at once. Virginia pauses dozvn r. 
of c. Enter Vera from l., pausing near the 
door.) 

Virginia. (Observing Vera) Oh, girls ! Look 
at Vera ! isn't she stunning ! 

(All the girls except Dolly, regard Vera in ad- 
miration.) 

Ethel. Perfectly regal ! 

Madge. (To Vera) The late Mrs. Cleopatra 
had nothing on you. 

Vera. (Smiling, bowing graciously) Thank you, 
girls. It's lovely of you to greet me so warmly. 
(Advancing to up c.) 

Virginia. Have you received your commission? 

Vera. Yes, four of us will sail for France on 
Saturday. 

Dolly. (Ap prehensively) France — that's where 
the shooting is — and the danger ! 

Vera. Yes — we are going to drive ambulances at 
the front. 

Ethel. (Quickly dozvn l. of Vera, regarding 



12 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

her earnestly) Oh, Vera ! how wonderful ! Tell 
us about it ! 

Vera. (Earnestly) When our boys advance 
under command of General Pershing and one of 
them is hit, he is brought to the first aid station, 
where your workers care for him — (Indicating 
Virginia) Then he is carried to the rear where 
the ambulance is ready to drive him to the hospital 
back of the lines. That's where our work begins — 
when the boys are laid carefully — two in the upper 
stretchers, and two on the lower tier, it is a woman 
who takes her place at the wheel, and many a 
blessing follows her as she picks her way across the 
rough roads, beyond the line of danger, to the care 
and rest of the base hospital ! 

Dolly. It's a man's work — not for women. 

Vera. (Firmly) It's woman's war, as well as 
man ! It was an American girl who blazed the trail 
for our ambulance work — a petted society beauty 
who had driven her own car for her own pleasure. 
But when the call came, she felt it in her heart — ■ 
she left her home, her friends, and next we heard 
of her over there with the wounded ! A new 
American Florence Nightingale of the twentieth 
century ! 

Ethel, (l. of Vera, earnestly) We know who 
you mean ! This same girl, driving her wounded 
across the shell-torn roads, heard a faint cry from 
within her ambulance car. " Oh, Mademoiselle, 
Mademoiselle ! moaned the French soldier — " turn 
me over, please, I beg ! " She climbed into the car 
and with her own hands, lifted the sufferer to a com- 
fortable position, and then drove on, while he 
prayed — " Vive le Americaine, Dio ! \'ive le 
Americaine ! " 

Dolly. That was only a Frenchman ! 

Vera. Only a Frenchman — only a hero ! We 
admire England, we pity Italy, but we love France ! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 13 

Ethel. That wounded French soldier was fight- 
ing for his country 

Vera. And for otir country — for us — it is the 
woman's day, and God helping — (Raising her cap 
reverently) we'll make good! 

Madge. You bet we will — ! {Knitting with in- 
creased energy) 

Dolly. Some people say we don't need those 
things. {Indicating knitting) 

Madge. Some people are natural born bone-heads ! 

Ethel. Oh, dear ! I wish I could be something 
important and order people about ! {Pouring tea 
at taboitrette) 

Vera. You energetic little person ! You're a 
stimulator, and that helps wonderfully! {Crossing 
to couch R. zvhere she sits) 

(Virginia turns to window-seat where she picks up 
the hank of wool.) 

Ethel. How nice of you ! {Picking up cup of 
tea) Who wants this? {To Madge) Madge? 

Madge. Don't flag the express! {Working 
rapidly) 

Ethel. {Advancing tozvard Vera with tea) I'm 
afraid to offer anything so un-strenuous to our 
heroic Vera ! 

Vera. I'll thank you for it — I haven't given up 
tea! (Ethel hands her the cup) I hope you 
didn't sweeten it? 

(Dolly, for the first time, tastes her tea.) 

Ethel. No- 



Vera. I've learned to do without sugar entirely — 
then you get the real flavor of the infusion. 

Dolly. How can you ! it's dreadfully bitter ! 
(Making a zvry face) Can't you spare me three or 
four lumps, Ethel? 



14 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

{Enter from l. AIrs. Davis /;/ time to hear Dolly's 

request.) 

Mrs. Davis. {Pausing near door) Who is that 
asking for sugar? 

Ethel. Dolly. {At tabourette pouring another 
Clip of tea) 

AIrs. Davis. {Advancing to c.) My dear, 
Dolly, 1 am surprised ! How do you expect us to 
win unless you make your individual sacrifice? 

Dolly. 1 Jiave made great sacrifices, Mrs. Davis, 
only I never get credit. {Pouting) 

Mrs. Davis. Indeed? {Regarding Dolly in- 
quiringly) 

DoLLY'. We had all our plans completed to spend 
the Winter in Florida, and at the last moment, we 
had to give it up, because Dad felt he couldn't 
afford it. 

Madge. Some martyr! {Glancing at Dolly') 

Mrs. Davis. You gave up a holiday because Dad 
couldn't afford it — that was necessity. A sacrifice 
is something we give up voluntarily, something we 
want, something we feel the loss of. 

(Virginia brings forzvard the light chair from r. 
of zvin doze-seat, and places it c. for Mrs. 
Davis.) 

Dolly. Of course I felt it — I cried for two days ! 
Vera. Crying for Florida and sugar ! what a 
baby ! 

(Mrs. Davis sits c. Ethel advances dozvn l. of 
her, handing her a cup of tea, lingering for a 
moment at her chair.) 

Dolly. {Indignantly) I'm not a baby! But I 
hate tea without sugar, and if 1 can't have all I 
want, life isn't worth living! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 15 

Vera. (Earnestly) Life was never so well 
worth living for all of us — -don't you agree with 
me, Mrs. Davis? (Drinking her tea) 

Mrs. Davis. (Earnestly) Heartily! If we 
could only know at the beginning of life, how to 
live, what blunders we might avoid ! 

Virginia. We cannot get far without sacrificing 
something. 

Mrs. Davis. As true as the Gospel ! Self-denial 
builds character, is makes us big and noble I 
(Proudly) I am the wife of a Grand Army man — 
that's enough to make any woman provid ! There are 
not many veterans left, and when taps sounds for 
my Peter, I hope I shall not be left long after him — 
we've been such comrades through life, I want to 
march beside him in the great procession of the 
spirit world ! 

Vera. If we could all be as blessedly optimistic 
as you, Mrs. Davis. 

(Virginia extends the ivogI to Ethel; both up- 
stage, Ethel holding i^'ool, while Virginia 
winds it.) 

Mrs. Davis. It rests with us — cheerfulness, and 
kindness and courage — that's all! (Smiling at 
Vera, then sipping her tea) 

Vera. That's everything. 

Madge. You said it ! 

Mrs. Davis. All that's good about me, I learned 
from Peter — he isn't an inspiring person to look at, 
with his red nose, bald head, gruff voice, and 
eternally smoking a pipe ! Doesn't sound romantic ! 

Madge. Nothing picturesque about husband 
Peter. 

Ethel. (To Madge, reproachfully) He wasn't 
alwavs bald — he once had lovely brown curls — 
didn't he. Auntie? 

Mrs. Davis. Of course he wasn't bald at twentv- 



i6 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

two when I met him — and I was twenty — I thought 
him the handsomest thing — do you know why? 
Brass iDUttons ! I never could resist brass buttons ! 

(All the girls laugh.) 

Madge. Me, too. 

Mrs. Davis. During the Civil War my folks 
lived near Gettysburg. Peter was wounded in 
battle, and they brought him to our house — there 
were no ambulances in those days, my young friends. 
The army surgeon said, Peter will die ; I said, he 
shall not die — no soldier will ever die in our 
house ! Mother and I nursed him, and when 
he was able to sit up, he told me he loved me ! 
Dear me! (A happy sigh) That was the happiest 
moment ! But I was such a silly dunce, I pretended 
indifference ; then Peter said unless I answered 
yes, he'd turn right around and truly die ! And all 
the time I was crazy to be Mrs. Peter Davis ! 

(All the girls laugh.) 

Vera. What a beautiful story ! 

Virginia. Ideal ! 

Ethel. But the brass buttons weren't very 
polished then, were they, Auntie ? 

Mrs. Davis. No, indeed ! Peter was covered 
with mud, and the blood was heavy about his 
shoulder where the bullet struck. 

Dolly. Did they cut it out? 

Mrs. Davis. (Rising, astonished) Cut it out! 
(Comic indignation) After all that trouble to get 
it ! You must think it an easy matter to receive a 
bullet in the shoulder ! He would no more think 
of cutting it out than he would cut off his head ! 
We love that bullet — we are proud of it — it stays 
there — (Tapping her shoulder) forever! (Lighter 
tone) I'm jealous because I haven't one to go with 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 17 

it! (She extends her cup, Ethel advances and 
takes it, placing it on tabourette) 

Madge. That's the talk! What would Heinie 
Hindenburg say to a woman like that ! 

(All the girls laugh heartily. Virginia advances, 
taking Vera's cnp and placing it on tabourette, 
as Mrs. Davis advances down c, laughing at 
Madge. Enter from l. Nora, quiet and 
serious.) 

Ethel. Here's Nora ! 

Mrs. Davis. I'm glad you came, Nora — I wanted 
to ask you about your mother — how is she? 

Nora. (Advancing down l. of Mrs. Davis) 
She's poorly, thank you, Mrs. Davis. 

Madge. Sick ? 

Nora. Yes 

Madge. Measles? — they're fashionable just now. 

Nora. It's not measles — it's from crying about 
Denny. 

Vera. Your brother? 

(Nora nods yes. Dolly rises and places her cup 

on mantel.) 

Madge. Is that all? 

Mrs. Davis. (Mildly reproachful) Madge ! 

]\Iadge. (More seriously) I've had my cry — 
alone, in the dark. I have two brothers with the 
engineers, and a cousin in the navy — a cousin I 
think an awful lot of, dear old George. When I 
think about it, there's a lump right there. (Touch- 
ing her throat) But tears won't help, and sweaters 
will ! (Knitting) I've learned to love these needles 
— I call them spikes of hope ! 

(A moment of solemnity falls upon the group.) 



i8 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

Nora. We all have someone we love over there — 
it's not that mother didn't want him to go, but it's 
hard coming just now. My father died only three 
months ago, suddenly, away from home, and mother 
hasn't had time to recover — (Tearfully) Denny is 
all we had — it's hard — it's so hard ! ( Tearfully, 
advancing to Mrs. Davis who places her arms about 
Nora, consoling her) 

Mrs. Davis. {With arms about Nora) It is 
hard, Nora ; the war has come into our homes, into 
our hearts, but we must play our part. This was 
a happy peaceful nation — we never provoked a 
quarrel with anyone — it was forced upon us — we 
had to preserve our National honor, our glorious 
freedom — the freedom for which our fathers died 
more than a hundred years ago ! Denny's a brave 
boy — tell mother to look on the bright side, and 
think of the day of victory. 

Nora. (Looking up) I wish you would come 
and see her— if you would talk to her, she'd cheer 
up a bit. 

Mrs. Davis. I will go — the first thing in the 
morning — I mean of course, after breakfast. 

Nora. Thank you. 

Vera. Come over here, Nora, sit by me. 
(Motioning Nora to a seat beside her on couch. 
Mrs. Davis turns a step up c.) What a pretty dress 
you are wearing ! 

Nora. (Crossing to couch r., brighter tone) I'm 
glad you like it. Denny gave it to me the day before 
he went away. (Seating herself on couch r. She 
and Vera converse quietly for a moment, then Nora 
picks up the knitting from couch, and k}iits) 

Mrs. Davis. Ethel, for pity sake play us a rag. 
(Facing Vera) \Mien I was a girl, I knew two 
tunes — one was The Maiden's Prayer, and the other 
wasn't. (Vera laughs) It's a humiliating confes- 
sion to make, but I love rag-time, and a circus! I'd 
run ten blocks to sec a circus ! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 19 

(The girls laugh.) 

Vera. It's splendid to have that youthful spirit! 
(Ethel turns to the phonograph and arranges a 
record, but does not start the music; as she is about 
to do so. Enter from l. Babe, coming in slozvly. 
Babe zvears postman's cap) Here's Babe! 

Madge. {To Babe) Hello, Skeleton! 

{The girls laugh.) 

Babe. {Good naturedly) Same to you. 
Ethel. Don't mind Madge ! 

(Mrs. Davis resumes her scat c. Virginia comes 
down R. of her, together they zvind the wool. 
Babe advances dozvn c. and suddenly begins 
gymnastic exercises zvith her arms.) 

Madge. Look, girls ! Babe's having a fit ! 

Vera. {To Babe) What for? 

Babe. Training. {All the girls regard Babe in- 
quiringly) Told you I was going to work for Uncle 
Sam! 

Madge. Did he ask you to do that jig? 

Babe. Guess what I am ! {Continuing exercise) 

Madge. Oh, a harmless lunatic. 

Babe. I'm a postman ! 

Omnes. Postman! 

Babe. Or postwoman. if you like. {Stop the 
exercise ) 

Ethel. Good for our Babe ! {Applauding) Oh, 
girls ! our Committee is lining up magnificently ! 
Virginia's a nurse. Vera is a ambulance driver, 
Madge is a knitter — we're all that of course — and 
Babe's a postman ! Sit down and tell us about it ! 
(Ethel snatches tzvo pillozvs from the zvindozv- 
seat, tossing one at Mrs. Davis' feet, the other to- 
zvard l. c. She picks up tJie knitting from zvindozv- 



20 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

scat, then sits on the cushion on the floor, preparing 
to knit) 

Babe. {Looking at cushion) Must I sit there? 

Ethel, Um — um — patriots are never particular 
about chairs. (Knitting) 

(Positions: Mrs. Davis seated c. tip-stage, holding 
wool; Virginia r. of her, winding 7vool. Vera 
on conch R. attentive to the scene, Nora seated 
on R. of Vera, knitting. Madge seated at table 
L. knitting. Ethel seated on floor, knitting. 
Babe standing l. of Ethel. Dolly r. below 
couch, standing, her hands clasped idly behind 
her back.) 

Babe. I ache all over — I'm not used to walking 
much. 

Madge. That's why you grew so much like a 
rotunda. 

Ethel. Oh, Madge, stop teasing her. 

Babe. I'm a sub ! (Dropping on her knees on 
cushion) 

Mrs. Davis. (To Babe) For goodness sake! 
what's a sub? 

Babe. Substitute ! 

Mrs. Davis. Ah ! the modern habit of abbreviat- 
ing keeps the old heads guessing. 

Babe. The first thing you find out when you go 
out on a job — that is if you're a woman, and it's 
something new, is — what a lot of rubes there are 
roving about ! They're as green as cows ! 

Madge. Who ever saw a green cow ! 

Babe. When I started with the tnail-bag over this 
shoulder — (Indicating) maybe it wasn't heavy — 
you'd never think it ! And when I blew my whistle — 
(Taking whistle from a convenient pocket, blowing 
it) you should hear the remarks ! (Imitating street 
urcJtin) *' Hey fellows! get onto what's carryin' 
de mail! It's a woman, b'lieve 7ne!" 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 2r: 

'£thel. What a saucy boy!' 

Babe. Nothing worries me, only curiosity. 

Dolly. What fun to read the postal cards ! 

Babe. Nothing doing in that line! But all those 
letters do fuss one ! Some folks snatch 'em from 
us, some smile and say thank you, and others just 
nearly cry when we say ** nothing to-day." 

Vera. We've all experienced that crushing dis- 
appointment — the looked-for letter that did not 
come ! 

(All the girls sigh, heavily.) 

Mrs. Davis. How I used to look for Peter's 
letters ! and when they came, I could never read his 
scrawl! •. 

Babe. People get real snippy — as if we could 
help — when I feel just as bad as they do — like to- 
day. 

Ethel. To-day? (Looking at Babe inquiringly) 

Babe. There's a woman on my route always 
standing at the door, waiting for me, poor soul, with 
two kiddies hanging to her skirts, and to-day she was 
nearly frantic. " You inttst have something for me 
this time, you surely have, if you'll only look again ! " 
Maybe that doesn't hurt — so I looked through all 
the letters to satisfy her, and then she asked me to 
excuse her, and said it was John she was expecting 
to hear from. It was just like all the other days — 
there's nothing for her. 

Madge. Who is John ? 

Babe. Why, her son, John, who is in France. 
She smiled through her tears and told me that she 
was working for the Red Cross and would work 
all the harder. She had made sweaters and other 
things for the boys and is willing to do more. I 
hope some day I may bring her a letter from her 
boy, and I feel as if I should, God bless him. 

Vera. (Rising) Yes, God bless him, and his 



22 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

mother, too, and the thousands of other mothers, 
sisters and sweethearts. With the help of such 
women we must win this war and good will follow 
after. 

(Everyone except Dolly, promptly in a clear strong 

tone.) 

Omnes. Hurrah! 

(Babe rises, placing her cushion up-stagc.) 

Ethel. {Up c. looking at Dolly) All but 
Dolly ! (Dolly is standing doicn r. of c. near couch. 
All tJie girls look at her inquiringly; Vera moves a 
step above couch to address Dolly. Babe down l. 
hack of table, Ethel moves to a position near l. 
door, ready to open it) 

Vera. {To Dolly) \Miat part have you chosen 
in the world drama ? 

Dolly. {Replying reluctantly) I have given up 
the trip to Florida, and I bought only three hats this 
month, because they were bargains ! 

Nora. {Astonished) Three hats in one month! 
And the orphans of France crying for bread ! 
Heaven save us ! 

Dolly. {Impatiently) I wish I had never come 
here — the way you talk — it's not fair ! 

Vera. {Forcefully) It's more than fair, it's our 
duty to search out the slackers in civil life and force 
them to share in the struggle for democracy and 
freedom ! 

Dolly. {With force and bitterness) I'm not a 
slacker — you shan't say it! {Crossing rapidly to c. 
facing Vera) You are fanatics — war fanatics! 
{All rise, except Mrs. Davis, all looking at Dolly, 
as she gains in dramatic force) This is a nation of 
shop-workers ! money-makers ! Luxury-lovers ! un- 
used to war, unable, and unwillinG^! 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 23 

Mrs. Davis. {Rising, indignantly) I deny it, 
and I am a soldier's wife ! The boys of Vicksburg 
and Gettysburg were not unwilling — they followed 
General Grant and General Lee, the blue or the gray 
as it called them, and our boys in khaki will follow 
General Pershing to the last trench ! 

Ethel. (Forccfiilly) This country has always 
championed the cause of small nations, nor has it 
hesitated to draw the sword against powerful foes ! 
Neither in the halls of diplomacy or on the field of 
battle has America shirked, and in this Titanic 
struggle, we'll not stand by and see those bleeding 
nations fight our fight ! 

All. (Strong) No! no! 

Mrs. Davis. A thousand times no ! 

Madge. Down with Krupp and Kultur, and the 
King of the Goose-steppers ! 

(All the girls applaud Madge heartily. Virginia 
moves chair up c.) 

Ethel. I don't expect you to agree with me, 
but you'll admit, this country was unprepared. 

Vera. Unprepared — Yes, my dear, but Uncle 
Sam is more than a mile a minute when he gets 
started. As you know, it only took a little over 
two months to raise an army of a million men and we 
sent hundreds, of thousands of great soldiers over 
there in the last six months without losing a life. 
Your Uncle Sam does things when he starts, and 
he has the women over here to help him. 

Nora. America is big and smart, we'll win — 
that's what Denny says ! 

Mrs. Davis. Denny is right ! 

Dolly. (Snecringly) Oh, yes — no one doubts 
it is a boastful country. 

Mrs. Davis. (Her head held high) I represent 
the twelfth generation in an American family ! 
That's something to boast about I 



24 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

ViKGixiA. I'm the seventh! 

Babe. I'm number five. 

iiADGE. I'm the eighth ! 

Ethel. Hurrah for our Madge. 

Mrs. Davis. How about you Miss Dolly? 

Dolly. Father was born in Wisconsin, and 
grandfather in Berlin. 

3Jadge. Sweet Moses ! No wonder you see 
crooked ! 

Nora. {To Dolly) You cannot defend the 
Prussians — not if you read about their terrible 
cruelty to women and children ! 

Dolly. {Quick and sharp) That's all news- 
paper talk ! 

Mrs. Davis. {Firmly) It's the truth — we have 
the word of our former Ambassador — and we have 
the solemn writings of that great Belgium patriot — 
Cardinal Mercier — a man who stood with his people, 
with the love of the Lord in his heart, and no fear 
of the merciless tyrant — Bismark's ready follower 
of the policy of blood and iron! {Crossing to L. 
door. Ethel opens l. door) I'll fetch a copy of 
that book and you shall read it — not as a favor to 
me, but in justice to humanity! {Exit Mrs. Davis 
l. follozved by Ethel, 7i'ho leaves the door open) 

Nora. That's the whole story — a war for 
humanity! {Dozvn r. a step — leaving knitting on 
couch) 

V^era. You can't resist it — it cries to everyone 
of us, and we must answer it! 

Dolly. My father is not inhuman — he is generous 
and kind to his family 

Vera. A man must be kind to his family, and in 
this hour of trial, he must be generous to his 
country ! 

Babe, (l.) Your dad's rich, isn't he, Dolly? 

Dolly. Not as rich as he would like to be. 

Vera. {To Dolly) All that he has he earned 
in this country — America gave him prosperity and 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 25 

happiness, it has blessed his children; what will yon 
do to repay some of the debt ! 

Dolly. We don't owe this country anything! 

All. (Exclaim reproachfully) Oh, Dolly! 

Madge. Doesn't that sound like a pig! (Look- 
ing at Dolly) 

Dolly. (Stubbornly) We don't! Father had 
to work, and so did grandfather — the country didn't 
give him anything. 

Vera. (Firmly) It gave him opportunity which 
his own land denied him — your grandfather came 
like many thousands, poor immigrants, oppressed in 
the land of their birth ; they turned their backs upon 
the monarchy, and fled to the A\^estern Republic, 
where freedom and friendship awaited them. From 
the millions of strangers who came across the sea, 
the country that protects them asks nothing but 
their loyalty, and that, we demand ! 

Dolly. (To Vera) Of course you're a patriot ! 

Madge. There are only two kinds of persons in 
this country — patriots and — traitors ! (Looking 
steadily at Dolly) 

Dolly. (Sharply, to Madge) Lni not a traitor — 
I gave fifty cents to the Red Cross last week — (To 
Virginia) What do they do with all that money? 

Virginia. (Advancing, facing Dolly) They 
spend it in the service of mercy. Let me tell you, 
just this incident. (The girls listen with deep 
interest) On a cold night last week, a transport 
lay in the bay, steam up, lights dim, when, 
into our headquarters came the word that the ship 
would sail in an hour. She was crowded with our 
soldiers bound for the front. The message said 
tnat among those on board two hundred and sixty 
were not supplied with warm clothing. Think what 
it means to keep watch on a Winter night, with the 
icy winds sweeping across the deck ! A call like 
that means two hundred and sixty of everything ! 
when the word came, it reached the watcher, one 



26 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

small woman, who collected the stores and helped 
load them aboard a tug. It ran swiftly to the side 
of the great transport and a cheer went up from the 
boys on deck ! Two hundred and sixty of every- 
thing, ready for the call, for the comfort and health 
of two hundred and sixty sons and fathers, sailing 
to risk their lives, for us ! That's only one thing 
that's being done by the girls over here ! 
Omxes. Hurrah 

{The faint sound of tJic beat of drums is heard from 

offL.) 

Nora. Wonderful ! 

Dolly. (Subdued) I never thought of it like 
that ! 

Vera. Listen! {Indicating the sound of the 
drums) 

(Babe goes quickly to zi'indoK' up c. looking out.) 

Nora. Our boys, marching somewhere ! {Ad- 

7'ancing to c.) 

Madge. This is no place for me, or you, sisters ! 

{Going quickly to l. door) Come out and give them 

a send-off! {Exit ]\Iabge quickly l., foflozved by 

all the others except Babe and Dolly) 

(The beat of the drums groivs louder as the girls 
are running off, outside, they cheer; then the 
drums gradually subdue, at no time interfering 
zvith the dialogue. The drum corps may be 
secured from the Boy Scouts, or local drum- 
mers, and the martial music off-stage may be 
elaborated as much as desired by using military 
records on phonograph. Dolly c. turns, look- 
ing upstage. Babe, seated on zci)idozi'-seat, 
after looking through tJie zcitidozv, turns, look- 
ing at Dolly.) 

Dolly. Babe! {A step tozvard r. of c. ratlier 



THE GIRLS OVER HERE 27 

upstage, facing Babe) 

Babe. {Calmly) Dolly. 

Dolly. Why didn't you go with the girls? 

Babe. {Same iinriifficd manner) I stayed to 
make a few remarks. I don't talk much, but I think 
hard! {She rises, leisurely advancing dozvn to chair 
at R. of table, retaining her knitting. Dolly turns, 
folloiuing Babe's movements) 

{Stop drums.) 

Dolly. {Near couch r.) What about? 

Babe. You. {Sitting r. of table, knitting calmly) 

Dolly. Me! {Dropping on conch r. nervously) 
What about me? 

Babe. Lots about you — and your kind. 

Dolly. I don't understand. {Looking steadily 
at Babe) 

Babe. I am a member of the Home Defense 
League. 

Dolly. Another League — what for? 

Babe. For the detection of disloyalty. 

Dolly. There seems to have been a great deal 
of organizing. 

Babe. More than folks think. 

Dolly. {Abruptly) You work in the post- 
office, don't you? 

Babe. Yes. 

Dolly. {Rising, advancing, with interest) Have 
you access to the foreign mail? 

Babe. Perhaps. {Looking at Dolly) 

Dolly. Will you do me a great favor? 

Babe. What kind of a favor? 

Dolly. Here is a letter — {Dfawing a letter from 
her pocket) Will you drop it in the foreign mail- 
sack when no one is looking? 

Babe. What for? {Pausing in her work, look- 
ing at Dolly) 

Dolly. Because, we don't want it opened by the 
censor. 



2^ THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

Babe. \Miere is it going? 

Dolly. To — Germany ! 

Babe. Germany! {Rising, regarding Dolly 
fruily) 

Dolly. (Quickly) It's harmless — it is to my 
father's family — we have not heard from them in 
two years — father is so anxious — we don't know 
whether they are living or dead. (Advancing down 
to R. of c.) 

Babe. If that's all, you don't need to smuggle it. 

Dolly. That's not smuggling — I'd love you if 
you zcoiild send it ! 

Babe. Your uncle, you say? (Extending her 
hand for tJie letter) 

Dolly. ]\Iy dear Uncle Adolph. (Giving the 
letter to Babe) 

Babe. (Looking at letter) Uncle Adolph 

Dolly. (Eagerly) You z^'ill send it? 

Babe. Yes — after the inspector reads it. 

Dolly. (Astonished) Inspector! 

Babe. (Calmly) I forgot to tell you that I'm 
an agent of the Department of Justice — so is every 
^'•ood citizen. You see I'm a pretty busy woman. 
Uncle Adolph may be a nice old man, but Uncle 
Sam's my favorite ! 

Dolly. (Ap prehensively) Are you going to keep 



It 



? 



Babe. We'll leave that to the Committee. (Cross- 
ing to L. of c.) 

(A cheer is heard from the girls off l. Then, 
they all sing, off-stage — '' Marching Through 
Georgia." As they near the end of the refrain, 
they march in l. each zvitJi a flag — Ethel first, 
carrying the flag of Belgium. Virginia next 
with Red Cross banner, Nora next with the 
Irish emblem, Madge next with the British 
flag. Vera with the French flag, and Mrs. 
Davis last zvith the Stars and Stripes, and a 



l'^\- THE GIRLS OVER HERE 29 

bound voume. They enter singing, and finish, 
\ , substituting — ■'' When we go Marching Through 
\ Berlin " instead of " When we go Marching 

Through Georgia," and form a graceful semi- 
' circle toward the back.) 

Mrs. Davis, (l. of c.) I have brought you the 
book, Dolly — let your father and your grandfather 
read it — they will not be able to resist it's strength 
and truth. 

Babe. {Down l.) What shall we do with this, 
girls ? (Showing letter) A letter Dolly asks me to 
mail to her Uncle — in Germany. 

Dolly. (Down r. near couch) You need not 
send it — he is my uncle, but he hates us all — it won't 
help to send it — you may destroy it. (She sinks on 
the couch r. facing the girls, her hack to audience. 
Babe tears the letter across. To girls) I know you 
mistrust me — but it's not all my fault 

Madge. The trouble is, you eat the wrong hash — 
you want to eat corn meal and turnips, and brown 
bread and pie — then you'll feel like a Yankee, and 
ready to fight at the drop of the hat ! 

Ethel. Like our Madge ! (Regarding Madge 
in admiration) 

Vera, (c.) How will you feel when the boys 
come home, and we stand on the corner to welcome 
them! That will be the day of victory, when 
savagery is crushed, and the tyrant hides in terror 
from the anger of his own distracted people! H 
you want to be with us then, you must be with us 
now — every man, woman, and even the children must 
join, heart and soul, rich and poor, great and lowly, 
and so astound our enemies with the greatest de- 
mocracy the world has even seen ! Are you with us, 
or against us ! Will vou be one of The Girls Over 
Here ! 

Dolly. (Rising, earnestly) I'm with you — 



30 THE GIRLS OVER HERE 

{Up to c. a step) I know you're right, I know 
you'll win, and I want to help if you'll let me ! 
Omnes. Hurrah! 

(Vera takes her hand earnestly.) 

Mrs. Davis. {Advancing a step) And when that 
glorious victory comes, a new verse will be written 
into our immortal hymn — '* Oh say can you see 
by the dawn's early light ! " A new light will shine, 
a world peace, blessed by the Prince of Peace, and 
safe for all nations, on the honor of the .Stars and 
Stripes ! 

Curtain 



